Nannopterygius, meaning “tiny fin”, was a genus of ichthyosaur which lived around Europe from the late Jurassic to the early Cretaceous Period approximately 152-140 million years ago.

There are currently six species assigned to this genus:

1. N. borealis, found within the Slottsmøya Member of the Agardhfjellet Formation of Norway’s Svalbard Island; Berriasian Stage, early Cretaceous Period, 144-140 MYA; measured 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) long.
2. N. enthekiodon, found within the Kimmeridge Clay Formation of southern England; late Kimmeridgian to early Tithonian Stages, late Jurassic Period, 152-148 MYA; measured 3.2 meters (10.5 feet) long.
3. N. mikhailovi, from northwestern Kazakhstan; middle Tithonian Stage, late Jurassic Period, 147 MYA; measured 2 meters (6.5 feet) long.
4. N. saveljeviensis, found within the Promza Formation of western Russia; middle to late Tithonian Stage, late Jurassic Period, 147-145 MYA; measured 4.75 meters (15.6 feet) long.
5. N. yakimenkae, from northwestern Kazakhstan; middle Tithonian Stage, late Jurassic Period, 147 MYA; measured 2 meters (6.5 feet) long.
6. N. yasykovi, found within the Undory Formation of western Russia; middle to late Tithonian Stage, late Jurassic Period, 147-145 MYA; measured 3 meters (10 feet) long.

Nannopterygius saveljeviensis. © Jason R. Abdale (October 30, 2025).

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Categories: Paleontology, Uncategorized

Tags: art, Cretaceous Period, Early Cretaceous, Europe, ichthyosaur, Jurassic Period, Late Jurassic, marine, Mesozoic, Nannopterygius, paleo-art, paleontology, Prehistoric, reptile